After a heartfelt debate from both sides, the Florida Senate approved a measure authorizing student-led prayers at schools as long as adults are not involved. The “inspirational messages” proposal SB 98, filed by Orlando Democratic Sen. Gary Siplin and approved by a 31-8 vote, would allow school boards to adopt policies granting students the right…
Category: State Government
Arizona Gov. Brewer Sticks Her Finger in the President’s Face
The two leaders could be seen engaged in an intense conversation at the base of Air Force One’s steps. Both could be seen smiling, but speaking at the same time. Asked moments later what the conversation was about, Brewer, a Republican, said: “He was a little disturbed about my book.” Brewer recently published a book,…
Florida Republicans’ Plan to Block Out the Sunshine
In their longstanding fight to privatize the state’s prison system—and a lot of other public services—Republican lawmakers in Florida are trying a new angle: doing it in secret. Proposed Committee Bill 7170, introduced Tuesday in the GOP-dominated state legislature, aims to prevent “information relating to the outsourcing or privatization of an agency function” from being reported…
Perrys standing diminished in Texas
Rick Perry had fallen so far by the end of his Presidential campaign that its not even clear he could have defeated Barack Obama in Texas. Our poll of the state last weekend found Perry leading Obama just 48-47, including a 51-44 deficit with independents. Perry had led Obama by 7 points on a September…
Georgia lawmaker who sponsored welfare drug testing bill busted for DUI
A Georgia Republican who co-sponsored legislation that would require random drug testing of welfare recipients was arrested on early Friday morning and charged with DUI, according to Channel 2 Action News. Rep. Kip Smith was pulled over after a police officer witnessed him run through a red light. The officer said he could smell the…
Fox Promotes Dubious Claim That 900 Deceased People Voted In SC
But Election Official Who Introduced The Statistic Reportedly Said Absentee Ballots Or Data Errors Could Be The Cause Palmetto Public Record: DMV Director Schwedo “Said Those 900 Voters Could Easily Have Voted Absentee Before Their Deaths.” From a January 12 Palmetto Public Record (SC) article: Supporters of the new Voter ID law are alleging fraud…
GOP Candidate Passed Off ‘Home Economics’ Degree As ‘Economics’ Degree
Missouri gubernatorial candidate Dave Spence liked to tout his “economics” degree on his website and at campaign events — but in reality his degree was less about bookkeeping and more about housekeeping. Until Thursday, Spence (R) had claimed on his campaign website that he “earned a degree in Economics” from the University of Missouri (screenshot…
Montana High Court Says Citizens United Does Not Apply In Big Sky State
The Montana Court vigorously upheld the state’s right to regulate how corporations can raise and spend money after a secretive Colorado corporation, Western Tradition Partnership, and a Montana sportsman’s group and local businessman sued to overturn a 1912 state law banning direct corporate spending on electoral campaigns. “Organizations like WTP that act as a conduit…
Study: Health reform will not overwhelm Colorado’s medical system
Though Colorado will add 510,000 to insurance rolls under health care reform, the state will need far fewer new doctors than previously thought, in part because those patients will be shifting from emergency rooms and other existing care, a report says. Even with that many newly insured, Colorado will need only about 141 new doctors,…
No Driver’s License? We’re Taking Your Kids.
For instance, at the June hearing that terminated the Mendez’s parental rights, they were peppered with seemingly irrelevant questions about their English-speaking ability and immigration status. “Describe for the court why even three years after [the children went into the state’s custody] you cannot speak English without an interpreter,” asked Bruce Kling, special assistant attorney…
Wisconsin Gov. Wants Protesters To Pay For Security
Yesterday, the Walker administration took a step that is likely to antagonize protesters further. His administration enacted new regulations that would require permits to protest at the Capitol and other state buildings. The controversial part is that the bill allows officials to charge groups for the security and clean-up costs of such events. The Milwaukee…
Ohio Gov: “I don’t read newspapers”
Ohio Gov. John Kasich R said on Monday he “very rarely” reads newspapers.”You should know, I dont read newspapers in the state of Ohio. Very rarely do I read a newspaper,” he said during a speech in Columbus. “Because just like I think presidents have done in the past, reading newspapers does not give you…
So Fla’s Secret Private Prison
In one of South Floridas upscale, rural enclaves, where peacocks roam and horse trails are as common as sidewalks, town leaders decided to bring in much of their money from an unusual business: a prison. Only the leaders of Southwest Ranches kept their plans quiet from residents for almost a decade, and the project has…
Arizona Supreme Court Overturns Gov. Jan Brewer’s Removal Of Redistricting Chair
The Arizona Supreme Court dealt Republican Gov. Jan Brewer a blow Thursday, overturning her decision to oust the chairwoman of the state’s independent redistricting commission. The Arizona Republic reported that the court found that Brewer’s removal of Colleen Coyle Mathis did not meet state constitution guidelines. Brewer removed Mathis on Nov. 2, with…
Stimulus-Hating GOP Rep. Frank Guinta Cuts Ribbon For Stimulus Project
With Recovery Act funding running out, that old TPM favorite — the anti-stimulus Republican who takes credit for stimulus funding in their district — is becoming somewhat of a rarity. But Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH) kicked it old school on Thursday by cutting the ribbon on a new road that received millions from…
Apple Crops In Washington At Risk Because Of Other States Extreme Immigration Laws
Washington apple growers could have had one of the best apple harvests in the state’s history — if not for the lack of workers. Orchard owners say a federal immigration crackdown and extreme anti-immigrant laws in states like Alabama and Arizona have scared off many of their workers. Some farmers have tried to…
Election Roundup – Pearce Loses, Personhood Defeated
— Arizona recall election: Republican state Senate President Russell Pearce faced a recall election on Tuesday, and results with all precincts reporting show that he is losing to Republican challenger Jerry Lewis by 1128 votes. Pearce was a key architect of SB 1070, the state’s controversial immigration measure signed into law last year. The Arizona…
Poll: Ohio Set To Vote Big Against Kasich’s Anti-Union Law
A new survey from Public Policy Polling (D) shows Ohio Democrats and public employee unions likely to win a big victory on Tuesday in the referendum on Republican Gov. John Kasich’s anti-public union bill, SB-5. The poll shows only 36% of Ohioans will vote to support the law, while a decisive 59% oppose…
Architect of Arizonas Anti-Immigration Law May Lose His Seat
Pearce has a considerable financial advantage. According to the ABC affiliate, Pearce “raised an eye-popping $230,000—including donations from more than 40 states—compared to Lewis’ $69,000.” Yet despite that advantage, and the fact that his campaign managed to get a sham candidate, Olivia Cortes, on the ballot, Pearce may still lose. Pearces opponents challenged…
Gov. Jan Brewer Can’t Explain Her Partisan Political Tampering In Arizona’s Redistricting Process
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) has been under fire recently for her dramatic political move to interfere with the state’s bipartisan redistricting commission. Annoyed that the commission did not redraw congressional districts to benefit Republicans, Brewer convinced the GOP-controlled state Senate to impeach the commission’s independent chairwoman, Colleen Mathis. State officials are only…